Staff Update Week of September 25, 2023
Important Dates
9/27- Lockdown Drill (10:25am)
9/28- ICAC Assemblies (2nd, 3rd, 4th periods) (Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force)
9/28- Kona Ice Truck 8th period (fundraiser prize)
10/11 - Parent Teacher Conferences (3:30-7:30)
10/17- Staff Flu Shot Day
11/1- Parent Teacher Conferences (3:30-7:30)
Important Information
Lockdown Drill
Our first lockdown drill of the year will be Wednesday, September 27th, at 10:25.
I will read various scenarios over the announcements. We will NOT be locking down or barricading rooms. You will review each scenario with your students and talk about what they should do based on the information provided.
* Not only should you discuss what your students should do if they were in your room, but also discuss other locations in the building. For example, ask students what they should do if they were in a study hall in the cafeteria or in the hallway when the scenario were to happen.
* It is unfortunate that we live in a world where things like this need to be discussed, but it is something we need to make sure we are prepared for.
ICAC Assemblies
The Cuyahoga County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will be at EMS on Thursday, September 28th, to talk to our students about the risks and dangers associate with social media and technology. This will be done in grade level assemblies.
6th Grade: 2nd Period
7th Grade: 3rd Period
8th Grade: 4th Period
* I will call students down to the gym over the announcements
* Please sit in the stands with students and encourage good behavior.
Gradebooks
We are half way through the first quarter. Your grades need to be based on a minimum of 70% assessment. A student's grade should be an accurate representation of their performance in your classroom (not a reflection on if they are a nice kid).
Instructional Strategy of the Week
I have been talking to grade level PLCs this week about refreshing our memories on some effective instructional strategies. Middle school students listening to lectures for 45 minutes DOES NOT WORK. The majority of our staff knows and understands this. The Covid days are past us....we need to get back to students collaborating and working together......not just regurgitating information from the text book.
Here is a video that highlights the Station Rotation instructional strategy. Here is another video which explains how to set up the Stations.
Growth Plans/ HQSD / Observations
Just a reminder that your Growth Plans and HQSD is due 9/30.
** Gold Stars to Brett Ramming, Amy Dittebrand, and Stephanie Royko for getting their observations scheduled.
Public School Works
Please make sure you complete you PSW trainings
Parent/ Teacher Conferences
We will not be having parents sign up for conferences this year. I will be sending out an email to parents early next week letting them know that teachers will be available for conferences from 3:30-7:30 and that they can come to school anytime in that time period. Teachers will be in their rooms and we will place chairs outside of each room so parents can sit and wait if you are meeting with another parent. Conferences should be held to 10 minutes.
Good Professional Reading (or Watching)
Watch the Station Rotation videos posted above.
